Itinerary:
Day 1: The Hmong and Khmu Tribes
Day 2: Explore the Akha and Lenten minorities
Day 3: Kayak the Nam Ou River and camping on sand beach
Day 4: Trek to isolated minority villages
Day 5: Leave the Nam Ou River and depart to Luang Prabang
Detailed program:
This loop through north - east Laos will give you a wonderful insight into the world of the hill tribes. With the rest of the world become increasingly disconnected from nature, meet the admirable people who still live from the land and forest around them! Over five days you’ll be able to see to the everyday lives of four different ethnic groups the Hmong, Khmu, Akha, who will welcome you with large hearts and smiles. You’ll mix river cruising with some gentle kayaking and trekking to explore Laos most spectacular but seldom travelled corner. This is a captivating journey!
Fitness: easy - Activities: boat, soft kayaking and trekking
Day 1: The Hmong and Khmu Tribes
Enjoy rolling mountain ranges and spectacular panoramic views while travelling in your comfortable private van. Visiting Hmong and Khmu villages, you will learn about the traditional way of life of these minority groups. In the afternoon you will arrive in Oudomxai and have the chance to visit the buzzing local market.
Day 2: Explore the Akha and Lenten minorities
Continuing by your private minivan through beautiful rolling hills you visit the Akha and T’ai Dam tribe villages. Experience for yourself the vast differences between their traditional and our modern way of life. Let your guide show you the picturesque highlights of Muang Khua before taking you to your hotel.
Day 3: Kayak the Nam Ou River and camping on sand beach
Leave the rolling hills behind and pass spectacular limestone cliffs and remote villages as you journey downstream on a traditional slow boat. Swapping the boat for kayaks, you pass through stunning mountains and rock formation rising dramatically above rain forest, visit some village along the river, especially Ban Sopchem, a very well know as silk and cotton weaving village, in the afternoon arrive Pha Sou, our own camping round with breath taking surrounding, to night we’ll stay overnight in the tent and enjoy traditional BBQ
Day 4: Trek to isolated minority villages
After breakfast at our own jungle camp, take boat short trip down stream to Muang Ngoi. Have a wander through the beautiful village Muang Ngoi. From here we begin trekking 30 minutes to visit Tham Kaang, the former sheltering cave for local villagers during Indochina war (1960-1972). Which has never damages with beautiful surrounding. After visiting, we will walk to Ban Na ( a village of T'ai Deng ethnic group), where we will eat lunch at local restaurant. Explore local people's working and living condition, we return to Muang Ngoi and take boat down stream to Nong Khiaw. Overnight at Nong Khiaw river side bungalow
Day 5: Leave the Nam Ou River and depart to Luang Prabang
Sit back and enjoy the views as you take private mini van to Luang Prabang, stopping along the way to visit the famous historical Buddha cave - Pak Ou. Arrive in Luang Prabang, and transfer to your hotel or guesthouse.